NHL Rumors: Wild, Blackhawks, Rangers, Oilers – The Hockey Writers – NHL Rumors

In today's NHL rumor roundup, speculation surfaced that Kirill Kaprizov is looking to leave the Minnesota Wild and join the Chicago Blackhawks. The journalist who made those comments felt compelled to clarify after the rumors took on a life of their own. Meanwhile, there are reports that Igor Shesterkin is trying to “reshape the goalie market,” which is not good news for the New York Rangers. Finally, any talk that the Edmonton Oilers are considering a trade for Evander Kane is false.

Does Kaprizov want to move to the Chicago Blackhawks?

Mark Lazerus of The Athletic felt the need to clarify comments he made on a recent podcast in which he suggested that Minnesota Wild star player Kirill Kaprizov could leave the Wild and join the Chicago Blackhawks. Rumors have suggested that Kaprizov could trade and join Connor Bedard in 2026 when his contract expires. There were rumors at this year's NHL Draft that Kaprizov wanted to be in Chicago.

Lazerus added on Wednesday:

Let me be clear: I reported back in June that the Blackhawks see Kaprizov as a potential addition in two years, the Marian Hossa of this generation. Is Kaprizov intrigued by this possibility? Sure. Does he “want” it now? No. I made a slip-up in the pod.

In follow-up posts, Lazerus added: “Kaprizov has two years left on his contract. This decision is still a long way off. Nothing is imminent, nothing is set in stone, Kaprizov has not asked to opt out, nothing like that. Resign. I was not implying otherwise.” His last post said: “In short, the Blackhawks have their eye on Kaprizov in two years, not the other way around.”

Shesterkin wants to “restart the goalkeeper market”

TSN's Pierre LeBrun said in TSN's latest insider trade report that Igor Shesterkin is making life increasingly difficult for the New York Rangers. He hints that he has already turned down a huge offer that is higher than what Carey Price made to the Montreal Canadiens and reports that Shesterkin and his people are trying to “reshape” the goaltender market.

Related Topics: Shesterkin's firm contract stance with Rangers could lead to a transfer

It goes without saying that he won't accept a team-friendly deal to stay with the Rangers, and since he has told the organization that he won't negotiate after the season begins, the situation becomes complicated.

LeBrun reports that Shesterkin wants to “rush through” similar contracts for goalies like Connor Hellebuyck, Juuse Saros and Ilya Sorokin.

The Oilers don't want to give up Evander Kane

With Evander Kane on the injured list for up to six months and the Oilers potentially using the LTIR list if they find a player to fill a hole on their roster, any talk of trading Kane is pure speculation. The Oilers have absolutely no plans to trade Kane and desperately want him back for the playoffs.

This is a player the Oilers will sorely miss. Kris Knoblauch talked about Kane's presence in the lineup. Not only is this a player who can score 20+ goals, but he makes the other team nervous when he's on the ice. The rest of the roster is more comfortable when he's in the game, and Kane brings an element the Oilers don't otherwise have.

“You want your best players in the playoffs and he's one of our best players. Hopefully his recovery goes well and he can play. We still have room when he's healthy and ready to return,” Knoblauch said.

Importantly, the NHL closely monitors teams that trade injured players. It is monitored whenever a club does so and the player is on the LTIR list because otherwise he doesn't have the salary cap space. That limits the number of teams that would even consider Kane. And if a club were to wait until he was healthy, it would likely be after the trade deadline.